Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Bushong, left, a homicide victim in Washington, D.C. on April 21, is seen in this undated family photo with his father, Michael Bushong. Michael Bushong is planning a benefit concert in Vernon, Conn., in memory of his son with the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Regiment.

AGAWAM - The father of a Camp Lejeune Marine who died last April in Washington, D.C., is planning a Sept. 29 fund-raiser to celebrate his son’s life and benefit the Marine’s Wounded Warriors Regiment charity.

Philip Bushong, 23, died April 21, 2012 in Washington, D.C., after being stabbed in the heart with a pocket knife. A fellow Marine, Michael Poth, has been charged in connection with the stabbing death following an altercation and is awaiting trial.

The altercation occurred on the Barracks Row end of 8th Street in southwest Washington, D.C., which has several bars and restaurants where Bushong had been a popular patron, Bushong said.

Philip Bushong was scheduled to receive his honorable discharge form the Marines on April 26 and was planning to visit his father and brother in Connecticut. Philip Bushong attended Fermi High School in Enfield, Conn..

“With Philip stateside, I had let my guard down, assuming he was out of harm’s way,” Michael Bushong said. “When the Marines arrived to deliver the news Saturday morning, it could not have been more shocking and paralyzing.”

Michael Bushong said the Marine Corps support during the situation has been beyond all expectations and he could not have dealt with the tragedy without the help.

“It cannot be overstated that the Marine Corps is the reason that my son developed into the respectful, focused, strong, wise and thoughtful man he had become,” Michael Bushong said. “His experiences were character-building and molded him.”

While stationed in Washington, D.C., Michael Bushong said his son had met the love of his life. He also was poised to enroll in George Mason University.

Philip Bushong was stationed in Washington, D.C., for two years, from late 2008 to 2011, where, as a member of the Marine Corps Color Guard, he participated in Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Philip Bushong was a riflemen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He joined the Marine Corps in March 2008 and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in June 2009. He deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from March 2011 to February 2012.

Philip Bushong received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal. He was also recognized for subduing a malfunctioning weapon that firing randomly, receiving serious injuries to his hand and saving the lives of those around him at the firing range.

Michael Bushong said the benefit concert for his son will be Sept. 29 from 5 to 11:30 p.m. at the Maple Grove Club on Franklin Street in the Rockville section of Vernon, Conn.

“I am a musician and my son was a musician and we have a lot of musician friends,” Michael Bushong said.

The bands will be performing. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 by contacting http://topics.masslive.com/tag/u-s-marine-corps/index.html

Tickets purchased in advance include raffle tickets and dinner. “We have a lot of good items to be raffled off such as televisions and iPads,” Bushong said.